New Plexus factory creates 130 jobs in West Lothian

Alex Salmond. Picture: Getty

PERRY GOURLEY

A US electronics company is creating 130 jobs after announcing plans for a second Scottish factory in a £9 million expansion.

Plexus is moving its Livingston design centre to larger premises at Bathgate where it will also open a manufacturing facility to complement an existing one in Kelso.

Work is expected to begin later this year and the site is expected to be operational by February.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the investment, backed by £1m of support from Scottish Enterprise, was “very welcome” after Vion’s decision to close its Hall’s of Broxburn meat plant with the loss of 1,700 jobs.

“News that this international design and manufacturing firm is stepping up its Scottish operations is testament to the quality and skills of the West Lothian workforce and reinforces Scotland’s reputation for excellence in innovation and manufacturing,” he said.

Steve Frisch, regional president at Plexus, said increasing demand from customers was fuelling the expansion of its UK operations, which design and manufacture components for the communications, aerospace and life sciences sectors.

“This demand sends a very positive signal that companies need a UK-based solution for the design and manufacturing of their products,” he said.